Escaping to You -Book I of the Journey Series

Chapter 16

===Heather===

I've been walking for quite sometime until I found myself on a beach -the beach where I met up with Savage and the Outcasts four years ago. I tried not to think about the past and just stared out into the dark, still processing all the things I discovered in my mind. Until I heard a familiar set of footprints, and I had a hunch on who it might be.

"I get the feeling that being nosy is starting to become your thing." I said to the blonde girl wielding a battle axe behind me.

"I'm part of the Berk Guard -what goes on the island is my business as well as anyones." Astrid only said.

Behind her was Stormfly, looking just as on guard as her owner.

"What are you doing here this late?" She asked me.

"I could ask the same thing of you." I fired back at her, and she didn't say anything for a while.

"I heard everything they told you." She finally said.

I just raised my eyebrows at her, proving my point at her being nosy is becoming her thing.

"I was suspicious, okay? I just.... I really needed an answer. All I get are riddles and reality checks from the both of you and it's so annoying. So... I decided to eavesdrop. But I won't tell anyone, it's just for my own peace of mind." She quickly explained as she slowly walked towards where I was sitting on the sand.

I didn't say anything and just focused my eyes back to the dark sea ahead.

"How are you holding up, after...?" She asked me after a while.

"Honestly, still trying to process it. But, with regards to how I feel, I just don't know. I mean, it's not everyday you find out that the deranged sociopath who ruined your life is actually your brother and the reason why he's wreaking havoc on the archipelago is to find you and your missing father." I unintentionally ranted to her.

"Yeah, I imagine that's a whole lot to process for a night." She commented, which I find comforting in a way.

"Did Hiccup know?" She asked.

I shook my head, "Knowing him, he didn't know as much as his cousin and friends. He may have an idea, but the full extent he found out just as I did."

We were silent for a while, with only the sound of the forest night life and the waves crashing on the shore can be heard. That is, until Astrid said something I wasn't expecting, at all.

"I know that this is probably a bad time, but I want to apologize to you -for how I've been acting towards you and Hiccup these past few days. It's just... for three years, it's been him and me. And I thought we'd stay that way. So, when I saw you and him, I got... jealous. Mostly because he never looked that happy when he was with me, and I was angry at myself for not being able to get that same result from him. He's an amazing guy and... all I want was for him to be happy since he deserves that. And I knew that you were the one that would give him that the moment the two of you came here. Me, acting out was.... my denial of accepting that fact. But, after spying on the five of you tonight, I finally accepted it." Astrid ranted.

"What made you do it?" I managed to ask her.

"Seeing him comfort you while his friends tell you everything. The way he looked at you, it was like he was looking at his whole world. He looked..... genuinely happy just sitting there next to you. And, I didn't want to be the one who'll take it from him. My conscience won't let me. And I realized that I was selfish... I convinced myself that I was his primary source of sanity for three years. And that he would always turn to me no matter what. Seeing you with him, it made me think that he won't need me anymore. But, I realized how needy and childish it sounded, and that I needed to grow up. He has his own life and I have mine. He found happiness and I deserve the same thing, and I still need to find it. And for that, I needed closure. From you, mostly." Astrid admitted.

Needless to say, I was impressed. It sounded like she did a lot more thinking about her problems than I did. And she started to sound like the Astrid I know.

"Plus, the whole arranged-marriage, when you were born, to Hiccup was kind of like a bucket of water to the head." She quickly added.

"Yeah, still can't wrap my head around that." I sighed.

"For what it's worth, Heather, you and Hiccup look and work really well together. I say this with pure honesty and sincerity, I'm happy for the both of you and I wish you both well in your relationship." She told me, her eyes reflecting the emtion in her words.

"It's worth something, and I forgive you. After all, I know how close you are to him, so I understand and forgive you." I told her, truthfully.

"Thanks, Heather."

"And as long as we're apologising, I'm sorry about how I said what I said all those things to you. They were true, though. I'm sorry it just came out so... brutal." I apologize.

"Apology accepted."

We sat there in silence, just enjoying view and each other's company. But, it was a little awkward for me so I decided to say something.

"If I'm being honest right now, I'm kind of glad that you eavesdropped earlier and followed me all the way out here. And I'm thankful for your apology -it made me feel a little better and helped gain a little more perspective on what I'm dealing with right now. I didn't know I needed it, but I do now. So thanks." I told her.

And it was true. Her confession of her behaviour gave me an insight to Dagur's intention. It's a doing the wrong thing for the right reason kind of thing. It's still wrong, but it's admirable. I only wish it wasn't the way it is. But, that's just life for you. Emotions can always cloud a person's judgement, and there is no fog thicket than pain and grief. And you'll only see clearly when all is said and done, and can never be taken back. The best thing you can do is be the bigger person, own up to your mistakes and ask for forgiveness.

"Truce?" She offered, holding her hand out.

"How about friends?" I offered instead.

"Really? After everything I said and did?" She asked me, not quite believing what I just said.

"Everyone deserves a second chance, and a friend who is willing to give it to them in exchange for loyalty and honesty." I only said.

Astrid is a passionate woman, and everyone knows that. She does all that she can with everything she has. Having a friend like her would be more valuable than riches. Besides, I get the feeling we're gonna be great friends -teasing Hiccup and beating up Snotlout whenever he makes a move.

"Friends. And I promise to be more mature about my emotions now." She accepted my offer.

"Good to know."

"So, you heading back to the boys in the cove? Or do you wanna head back to the village with me?" Astrid offered as she stood up.

"I'll stay with the boys tonight. You go on ahead. I just wanna enjoy the peace and quiet for a while and continue my self-reflection in the dark." I politely told her.

"Okay then. See you tomorrow, Heather. And Good Night." She bid me as she took off on Stormfly.

I just waved at her before I went back to my thoughts with the sounds of nature filling my ears. Up until I fell asleep on Windshear under the stars with the Owls Hooting and Waves Crashing lulling me to sleep.